Gewürztraminer

Origins of Gewürztraminer grape

Gewürztraminer is a high quality aromatic grape with a typical pink skin that produces varietal white wines.

There are several theories on its origins. According to some scholars, it may come from the area of Termeno, in the province of Bolzano. As the name suggests, in fact, Tramin is the German translation of Termeno, while Gewürz means spicy, fragrant. According to other experts, however, this vine comes from Alsace, while a third hypothesis would have it originating in the Rhine area.

It can produce both dry, semi-dry and sweet wines. It naturally reaches much higher sugar levels than Riesling, which is why it has a higher alcohol content but which makes it ideal for sweet wines and late harvests. The best examples can last for decades.

Where Gewürztraminer is grown

Prized for its intense floral aromas, Gewürztraminer is widely cultivated in the Alsace region of France and in the Upper Rhine in Germany, where it adapts particularly well to the clay-rich soils at the foot of the Vosges.

Alsatian wines are particularly appreciated for their exceptional quality. They are intense and pungent wines, with strong tropical hints and good acidity. There is an AOC for dry wines and two legendary categories for sweet wines: Vendanges tardives (late harvest) and Sélections de Grains Nobles. The first wines are produced from grapes dried on the vine, on which, in the most fortunate cases, noble rot develops. The latter, on the other hand, are sweet wines of great value, produced from dried bunches, attacked by botrytis cinerea, where the loss of water is greater than 60%. These wines must age for at least 18 months in the cellar.

In addition to Alsace and Germany, Gewürztraminer is widely cultivated in Austria and Italy (especially in Alto Adige where it is known as Traminer Aromatico). In the United States, it is grown in California, Washington and Oregon. To a lesser extent, it is also widespread in Australia, New Zealand, and Chile.

Flavor and styles

The dry wines have a straw yellow color rich in golden reflections, the late harvest wines, instead, show a very inviting copper amber. Their consistency in the glass is remarkable.

Gewürztraminer has a characteristic aromatic and refined scent of rose water, tropical fruit such as mango, pineapple, passion fruit, and lychee, and then wisteria, broom, honey, and spices such as star anise and white pepper. In the sweet wines, it is possible to smell dried apricot, sultanas and dates.

In the mouth, Gewürztraminer is soft and warm on the palate and intensely persistent, with hints of candied fruit and cloves together with nutmeg. The acidity is not too high, but harmoniously balanced.